Electric switch



NOV. 1, 1927. l 1,647,300

L. L. KRouPA ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Deo. 8,- 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z3 Y i Patented Nov. l, 1927.

UNITED Mise ELECTRIC SWITCH. .r

` Application led December 8, 1923. Serial No. 679,286.

My invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and has for its main object the provision of an improved device of this character especially adapted for use `1n circuit testers,I with which a plurality of circuits may beseparately and readily tested, to detect blown out fuses and poor connections and breaks, which interfere with the propel' flow of current through the conductors.`

Other Iobjects will appear hereinafter:

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed. ,y

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which j Fig. 1 shows a switch embodying mylinvcntion as applied to a circuit boX or fuse box, and being connected with the branchcircuit terminals in said boX;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central section taken longitudinally through the switch;

Fig. 3 is a View of the switch with the cover plate and dial plate removed;

'Fig 4 is4 a sectional view taken -onl1ne 4-4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View of the switch in conjunction with the circuit box.

In the drawings I have shown my invention applied to a circuit box or fuse box 10 containing a plurality of pairs of branch circuit terminalsll and 11 to which the usual branch circuit wires (not shown) are connected in a Well-known manner; each pair of terminals being connected to the main feed members 12 and 13, and cartridge fuses 14 and plug fuses 15 are interposed 1n said connections, said pairs being consecutively numbered, as shown in Fig..1.

The preferred form of construction of my Atester comprises supporting means ,including a casing 16 having openings for bolts or members 17 for fastening the casing to the4 circuit box, and an insulating member 18, preferably in the form of a disk with'a central opening, which disk is mounted in' said casing with .brackets 19 and suitable fastening members. 4Contact members including metallic plates 20 and 20, are arranged in pairs which are suitably s aced around said disk, and the members o each pair being placed one on the forward and the other on the rear faceof said disk; while yoke-shaped, resilient cont-act elements 21 and 21 are mounted with arms in slots at the front of said plates 20 and 20 and are curved over to form jaws 22 and 22 which extend inwardly into the central space in said disk. Conductors 23 and 23 are connected to said plates 20 and 20 by the use of suitable flanged ,washers and binding posts 24 and 24', as best shown in Fig. 2, said conductors extending through one of the sleeves or nipples 25 provided on the casing, to the terminals 11 and 11 of the fuse boX. y

The movable switch means includes an arm 26, of insulating material, which is rotatably mounted with necks 26 in a pair of metallic conductor strips 27 and 27 by the use of a. shaft 28 and collars 29 and 29 fastened on said arm'26. A pair of contact blades 30 and 30 are fastened on said arm 26 and engage with conductor strips 27 and 27, at the necks 26', and said strips being arranged to engage between thejaws 22 and 22 of any one of said pairs of stationary contact means, sufficient space being allowed between succeeding pairs of jaws to permit free movement of said blades from one pair to the next and so as toprevent cross sparking during sucli movement. mounted in a. slot in arm 26, at the end opposite blades 30, and is urged outward by a spring 32 to engage in notches 33 in the disk 18 for guiding and holding the contact blades 30 and 30 in correct position within jaws 22 and 22.

A standard or any other rsuitable socket 34, carrying a light 35, is mounted in a slot 36 in disk 18, and av flexible conductor 37 .leads from said socket to contact strip 27..

said conductor 37 and strip 27 being connected through terminal screws 38 and 38 to 4 the light 35, in the usualmanner; and said strips 27 and 27, light 35, members 38- and 38 and said flexible conductor 37 providing a complete conductor 4between the blades 30 and 30 on said arm 26. A normally open switch 39,- preferably of the pushfbutton type, is interposed in said flexible conductor sfo Apin 31 is' 37,.'and opens automatically when the testing is completed and the button is released, in order to prevent waste of current by acts of careless persons. A suitable knob l40, disposed outside of casing 16, is provided with an angular sleeve 41 which engages collar 29 for rotating the switch arm 26 to test the fuses andbranch circuits.

Means is provided for indicating the particular branch circuit with its pair of fuses which is being tested, said means comprising a dial 42, which is preferably of metal with numbers 43 appropriately stamped thereon, said numbers being visible, with the light 35, through a slot 44 in the removable top plate 45 of the casing 16, by turning knob 40. Appropriate numbers, to correspond with said dial numbers, are placed adjacent the branch line terminals 11 and 11, between each pair ofiuses 14 and 15, in the fuse boX, as shown in Fig. 1; and corresponding numbers are a'lso placed on contact plates 20, as shown in Fig. 3, to assure accurateconnecting of the terminals 11 and 11 with the corresponding binding'posts 24 and 24', by means of conductors 23 and 23.

It is apparent from the above disclosure that with a tester constructed as disclosed the conductors 23 and 23 can be accurately connected with the terminals 11 and 11 marked number l on the dial, as shown in Fig. 1,.and with the corresponding binding posts 24 and 24 on the disk 18, which 'are likewise marked number lias shown in Fig. 3; and that by pressing the button for closing the button switch 39 and by turning the knob 40 until number l on the dial plate appears under slot 44, the connections will becompleted to illuminate light 35 it' there are no defects and the current flows properly through the conductors', and if the light fails to shine that the fuse, 14 is blown out or the light is defective. The release of the button will open switch 39 and prevent the waste of current even if the'knob 40 has not been turned to inoperative or off position. It is also apparent from the disclosure that the contact jaws and conductor blades in the tester may be used in a single series, although they have been shown arranged in pairs comprising each pair a front set 22 and 30 and a rear set 22 and 30 of jaws and' blades respectively, and 'disposed in double series; and it is apparent that either' set may be omitted or cut out, for instance, by separating the conductor strip 27 from blade`30 v preferred. form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit. of the invention. I, therefore, do` not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set 'forth, but

desire to av/ail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claim. j

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A switch comprising a casing, a stationary support-ing plate in said casing and bein of insulating material in the form of aV isk having its center removed; a plurality of pairs of contacts on opposite sides of said plate, the members of each pair being arranged directly opposite eachother; a plate of insulating material rotatably mounted in the central opening of said supporting plate; a spring held pin in said rotatable plate adapted to engage notches in said supporting plate; a pair of contacts on opposite sides -ot said rotatable plate to connect simultaneously with the members of the pairs of contacts on said supporting plate; a plu-v rality of circuits, each circuit having its ends connected with a pair of contacts on said supporting plate; a sight opening in said casing; a signal light in said casing, viewable through said opening; and controlled by said switch, and a handle member on said switch outside of said casing for operatingv saidf switch.

In4 testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. Y

LOUIS L. KROUPA. 

